BOSTON, Dec. 23, 2014—In an emotionally-charged impact statement, a Boston Police officer today expressed forgiveness for the man who tried to murder him during a foot chase in South Boston last year, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

PAUL ERIC LOUIS-JEUNE (D.O.B. 9/1/91) of Braintree pleaded guilty to charges of armed assault with intent to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm for the July 16, 2013, incident in the Old Harbor housing development. 

Assistant District Attorney Craig Iannini of the DA’s Senior Trial Unit recommended a sentence of 10 to 12 years in state prison followed by a two-year probationary term.  Suffolk Superior Court Judge Carol Ball imposed a sentence of six to eight years in prison and two years of probation during which Louis-Jeune must stay away from the Old Harbor housing project where he encountered and opened fire on a Boston Police officer.

Had the case proceeded to trial, Iannini would have presented evidence and testimony to prove that uniformed Boston Police officers were on a routine patrol when they received information regarding a drug transaction that had occurred in the area.  While driving in a marked cruiser, officers observed a man later identified as Louis-Jeune, who matched the description of the alleged dealer.  After making eye contact with officers, Louis-Jeune ran.  As one officer chased him on foot within the housing project, a second officer remained in the cruiser and followed behind. 

As Louis-Jeune approached the corner of a building, he suddenly turned, pulled a .38 caliber revolver from his waistband and aimed it at the officer on foot.  He fired one shot from a distance of 10 feet from the officer; though the bullet missed, Iannini told the court that the officer was able to feel the heat of the bullet and hear it whistle as it passed by his head.  Louis-Jeune then took aim once again and was himself shot once by the second officer, prosecutors said. 

The officers called for medical assistance, Louis-Jeune was transported to Boston Medical Center, and he survived his injury. Boston Police recovered the defendant’s firearm, a Rock Island Arms .38 caliber revolver with five live rounds and one spent round in the cylinder.

Prior to sentencing, the officer who narrowly missed being struck by Louis-Jeune’s bullet delivered a moving victim impact statement.

“I am willing to set aside all this anger as best I can and I’m willing to personally forgive Mr. Louis-Jeune even if he is not contrite,” the officer said. “That being said, I still believe Mr. Louis-Jeune should be severely punished: not for his crime against [me] but for his actions against society …. He wanted to kill the very representation of our laws, our society, and our city.” 

Ball and others present in the courtroom stood in spontaneous applause at the completion of the officer’s statement.

“By the grace of God, this officer escaped grievous injury or much worse,” Conley said. “The fact that he was able to extend forgiveness to the man who tried to kill him shows the tremendous character and professionalism we see every day among Boston Police officers.”

Louis-Jeune was represented by attorney John Wood.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.